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Discussion » Questions » Computers and the Internet » When plugging in a smartphone’s USB charging cable in a public place, can one be sure that data is NOT being accessed?
Randy D

When plugging in a smartphone’s USB charging cable in a public place, can one be sure that data is NOT being accessed?

 

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Posted - December 22, 2020
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Responses


  • 423
    Is a power cable capable of handling data? 
      December 23, 2020 1:58 AM MST
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  • 53503

     

       That’s exactly what I’m asking, because the very same connection port on the phone itself and the very same cable ARE used for transferring data between devices, so without knowing what’s on the opposite end of a publicly-available connection, is it theoretical that data could be accessed via one of them?
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      December 23, 2020 7:21 AM MST
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  • 10995
    Yes it can. There are ways to protect yourself, but it could happen.
      December 23, 2020 7:59 PM MST
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  • 3719
    A cable for dual use presumably contains 2 separate wire pairs, one for the data, one for the 5V d.c. charging supply, or perhaps just 3 wires (data, charger, common 0V);  but I would ask:

    a) does the charger itself contain any form of further data connection? If the appropriate socket pins in the charger are not connected to anything, no data can flow through the cable.

    b) is the charger lead screened, perhaps with the screen earthed, to shield it from incoming radio interference hence also preventing it acting as a transmitting aerial?  

    c) do you leave the phone switched on while charging it?
      February 25, 2021 11:55 AM MST
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  • 53503

     

      Even though it’s neither the intended purpose for it nor an assumed purpose for it, could a nefarious actor rig an electrical outlet in such a way as to hack into a device via the charging cable?
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      February 25, 2021 12:03 PM MST
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